Pipe bending machine



Dec. 22, 1942.

A. 1.. PARKER ETAL 2,306,221

PIPE BENDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 SWL WD R LWS WMHQ H E W V R r w U V. m HR Mr T 6 E Filed Jan. 16, 1940 DEC. 22, 1942. A, PARKER r 2,306,221

PIPE BENDING MACHINE Filed- Jan. 16, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 [knew/r 0 ART/4 we LPA/z KER HENRY E. /-/uLL M r C firrORA/EYG 2, 1942- A. L. PARKER arm. I 5,

PIPE BENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 R l ON my N N, a R m g N m R N a N a o a Q N fNVE/VrdlPS N 3 ARTHUR LPmtnER Q: 83 4 wen/2v E. HULL m M11912;

8 Sheets-Shet 4 m H 1 LE k E 0" WM 7 mm 0% 22, 1942 A. L. PARKER Em mom- 1 PIPE B ENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1940 8 SheetsSheet 5 g Fl SE 4 man L. PA BIKE/2 flaw? v E. //ULL 1942' I A. L. PARKE-R ETAL 2, Q

PIPE BENDING MACHINE Filed- Jan. 16, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 inn M70423 1 8 Sheets -Sheet 7 A. L. PARKER ETAL PIPE BENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1940 Dec. 22, 1942'.

Dec; 22, 1942. A. L. PARKER EI'AL PIPE BENDING momma Filed Jan. 16, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Dec.- 22, 1942 PIPE BENDING mcnmh Arthur L. Parker and Henry E. Hull, Cleveland, Ohio; said Hull assignor to said Parker Application January 16, 1940, Serial No. 314,042

20 Claims.

The invention relates generally to the art of tube or rod bending and primarily seeks to provide a novel machine structure in which tubes or rods of various sizes can be bent to the right or to the left with equal facility.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel machine of the character stated including novel multiple hand-actuated means for imparting movement to the bending mechanisms and which can be selectively used at the-will of the operator accordingly as he wants to bend a rod or tube in one direction or the other and as the demand for a greater or lesser power application increases or diminishes because of variations in sizes of rods or tubes being worked upon at a given time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which embodies novel means for predetermining and visually indicating the angle of bend intended, and novel means for discontinuing the bending operation when the predetermined angle of bend has been attained.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for visually' indicating the progress of attainment of the desired angle of bend regardless of the direction of bend.

7 Another object or the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated including a rotor, novel means for imparting movement to said rotor, novel means for selectively aflixing individual radius blocks of different radii to said rotor for movement therewith, novel means for securing an end of a rod or tube to the selected radius block, and novel means for opposing the radius block and between which and said block the rod or tube is bent during movement of the block about the axis of the rotor.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for supporting tubes being bent from wrinklingv or flattening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel reversible mounting for the rod or tube clamping and opposing means so' that right or left bends can be made with equal facility.

Another object of the invention is to providenovel means for visually signalling approximate completion of the predetermined angle ofbend.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated wherein is embodied bending mechanisms, manually actuated devices for imparting movementto said bending mechanisms, and means automatically effective upon completion of a predetermined angle of bend for locking said devices against additional movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the characterstated inv which is included a radius block turning head, a multiple of selective gear couples of different ratios for imparting movement to the head, and a selective ratchet lever equipment for imparting increments of movement through said gear couples.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more fully understood by following the detailed description, the appended claims, and

the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the bending machine structure, parts being broken away and in section, and the pipe or. rod clamping and radius block opposing devices being illustrated at one side of the radius block in full lines and in the reversed position at the opposite side of the radius block in dot and dash lines.

Figure 3 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view, the section being taken substantially 1 on the line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 4-4 on Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 5'5 on Figure 2.

Figure .6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6-8 on Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a detail vertical cross section taken on the line l-l on Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view illustratthrough the handle structure illustrated in Figare 10.

Figures 12 andJ1 3, respectively, illustrate in plan and edge elevation a large size of radius block.

. Figure 14 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 14- on Figure 1 and illustrating the mounting of the mandrel rod.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate in plan and edge view a. rotor disk equipped with driving lugs for engaging large sizes of radius blocks.

In the example of embodiment of the invenat the top and has a bottom opening defined by a flange 6 through the medium of which the machine can be secured upon a table or other suitable support. The housing shell includes an upwardly extended, concentric deck portion! which provides an abutment or stop walls 8 disposed at opposite sides of the center of the housing in the manner best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the housing. The gear has a heart cam groove 16 formed in its bottom face through the medium 20 of which movement is imparted to the rollers l1 projecting vertically into the groove from the bend angle limiting plate [8 slidable in a rectilinear path in guides l9 projecting upwardly from the closure plate "I. The cam equipment 15 imparts rectilinear movement to the plate [8' and the plate is provided with a longitudinal center slot 23 which straddles the closure plate bearing l3 and permits this movement of the plate Ill.

The upper end of the driver shaft or spindle I4 extends above the housing 5 and has a rotor disk 2| aflixed thereto. The disk 2| carries a center boss 22 from which a center pin 23 projects in' axial alignment with the spindle. A second or'driving pin 24 is secured to the disk 2| and bears spaced parallel relation to the center pin 23 in the manner illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. Additional driving lugs 25 may be removably secured as at 26 to the upper face of the disk and extend radially and in equidistant spaced relation about said disk. The purpose of the pins 23 and 24 and the lugs 25 will soon be described. I It will be observed by reference to Figure 3 of the drawings that the disk 2| is spaced above the main body portion of the housing shell 5, and a slide block mounting bar 21 is swingably mounted on the pintle 14 in this space so as to project radially from the pintle and be swingable about the axis'thereof. The bar 21 is centrally slotted so as to-provide spaced, individual bar portions 28 and 29, and these bar portions are provided with equidistantly spaced cross apertures 30 for removably receiving a screw pin 3| which serves the purpose of anchoring the bearing block 32 having depending ears 33 straddling a selected one of the bar portions 28 or 29 in a selected position along said selected bar portion. The block 32 is equipped with a bore 34 for slidably receiving a plunger 35 which is slot and pin secured as at 36 against movement about its axis in said bore. The

. plimger is equipped with an axial threaded bore 31 for threadably receiving a captive screw 38 which is rotatable within the block bore through the medium of a hand wheel equipment 33. It will be obvious that as the hand wheel is rotated the plunger 35 will be projected from or retracted into the block bore according to the direction of rotation of said hand wheel.

At its projected end the plunger carries an elongated positioning block 43, said block being removably secured upon the plunger as at 4|. The positioning block 40 has a slide plate 42 affixed to its-lower surface and which is adapted 75 other of the disk. BY thus reversibly to be supported on and slide over the upper surface of the selected bar portion 28 or 29 upon which the block-32 happens to be mounted at the particular time. The upper face 43 of the 5 positioning block 40 is smooth finished and has a pair of supporting pins 44 projecting therefrom in horizontal and parallel spaced relation, The pins 44 and the smooth face 43 serve to support and slidably position a slide block 45 which is 1 rectangular in cross section and has each of its outer faces equipped with a distinct selective diameter tube confining groove 48. The pins 44 are removably attached to the block 40 and are used to support smaller sizes of slide blocks 45.

15 When larger sizes of slide blocks 45 are used, in the bending of larger sizes of rods or tubes, the pins 44 are removed and the slide block inuse is permitted to rest directly upon the end of the slide-plate 42 which extends beyond the block 40. For this reason the extended end of the slide plate 42 is made as wide as the block 40, and thus a proper slide support is provided for the slide block 45, see Figure 2. It will be noted by reference to Figure 4 of the drawings that when smaller tubes are being bent the slide plate 42 extends over the edge portion of the rotor disk 2|, but when larger sizes of tubes are being bent this slide plate is retracted with the block 40 and does not overlie the disk or interfere with the driving lugs which are then mounted, thereon. By .merely turning the slide block 45 to expose a selected groove thereof away from the smooth positioning face 43, the block can be utilized to properly engage tubes to be bent which are of 3 various diameters.

A vise support bar 41 is pivotally mounted as at 48 on the driving pin 24 so as to be swingable about the axis of said pin. A slide 49 is mounted on said bar and includes dependin 40 retainers 50 which straddle and engage the sides of the bar. The slide also includes a shelf portion 5| for supporting a vise clamp block 52 which is identical in cross section with the slide block 45 but may be shorter in length. Like the 45 sl de block, the vise clamp block 52 is equipped with selective diameter tube opposing grooves 53 in the respective faces thereof. A slide adjuster screw 54 is held captive as at 55 in the slide 49 and is threaded through a bearing shoulder 58 projecting upwardly from the bar 41. The screw is provided with a turning head equipment 51 and itwill be obvious that by rotating this screw the slide 49 can be moved toward or from the driving pin 24. v

A radius block generally designated 58 is provided and includes an aperture 59 for receiving the center pin23-and another aperture 60 for receiving the driving pin 24. Radius blocks of various sizes are 'employed so as to adapt the machine for bending tubes or rods of various diameters, and each such block includes a concentric bending face GI of a selected radius and an extended portion providing a clamping surface 62 merging as a tangent withthe concen- 65 tric peripheral or bending surface of the-radius block. The surfaces GI and 52 of each radius block are suitably grooved as at 53 to properly oppo e the tube receiving groove equipments of the slide block 45 and the vise clamp block 52 hereinbefore referred to. It will be obvious by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings that a selected radius block can be positioned on the receiving pins' 23 and 24 with the clamping surface 62 thereof presented at one side or the mounting the radius blocks they are adaptable for use in forming right or left hand bends in rods or tubes properly clamped thereto.

2| engage in driving relation in the sockets or recesses. It will be obvious that the larger forms I also of the radius blocks are reversibly mounted on the rotor disk 2|. These blocks also include a concentric bending surface 68 which merges into a tangentially extended clamping face 89. and these faces are grooved as at 18 for the purpose previously described.

A tube to be bent is indicated at 1i, and in order to prevent wrinkling and flattening out of tubes of this nature during the bending process, there is provided a mandrel 12 which is selected from a range of such mandrels to freely fit in wall supporting relation within the tube to be bent. Each such mandrelis carried on a rod 13 removably secured as at 14 toan externally threaded anchor rod 15. The anchor rod 15 is extended through a cross slot 16 ina standard 11 projecting upwardly from the table or other support upon which the machine is mounted. A scale bar 181s mounted on the standard over the slot 16 and is graduated progressively from a center point aligned with the axis of the rotor. msk 2| toward each end of said scale bar. The

anchor rod 15 is adjustably clamped to the standard 16 by clamp nuts 19, and by observance of I the scale bar 18 th anchor rod 15 and the mandrel rod 13 can be readily positioned so as to bear tangential relation to the radius block iriixgunted on the rotor disk 2| at the particular e.

It will-be observed by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings that before commencement of a bending operation the visa supporting bar 41 and the slide block supporting bar 21 are swung to the same side of the rod disk 2| in the manner illustrated in full lines in this figure. When the bars are. swung to the position illustrated, the bar portion 28 will be utilized as a support for the slide block. With the parts in this position the screw '54 is adjusted to force the vise clamp block 52 toward the radius block 58 so as to grip the end of the tube to be bent in the opposed groove surfaces 53 and 18. It'should be understood that the mandrel 12 extends into and supports the inner walls of thetubes to be bent,

the extended end of this mandrel terminating at a point directly opposite the axis of the center bending operation. The hand wheel 88 is actuated to force the positioning block 48 toward the center pin 23, thereby to present the selected groove 48 of the slide block 45 in engagement with the opposed surface of the tube'to be bent. 7

It will be obvious that by rotating thegrotor disk 2! in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawings, theclamped end bar 41 moves with said block. The slide block mounting bar 21 and the positioning block 48 mounted thereon are held stationary by engagement of. the bar with the adjacent wall f the housing, and the tube engaging groove 46 of the slide block 45 will cooperate with the mandrel 12 and theopposed radius block groove 83 in confining the tube against wrinkling or flattening. During the. bending of the pipe, the pipe contacting slide block slides along over the supporting pins 44 and against the smooth positioning surface 48, and by this means, abrasion of the tube is avoided.

It will be obvious that by reversing the positions of the bars 41 and 21 and the radius block 58 in the manner indicated in dot and dash lines of Figure 2, the machine can be adapted for bending pipes in the opposite direction. When the position of the bar 21 is reversed in this manner, it should be understood that the bearing block 32 is mounted onthe arm portion 28 instead of upon the arm portion 28 as previously described.

Movement is imparted to the gear l5 and the rotor disk 2| in a manner latter to be described, and this movement, and of course, the bending operation performed by this movement, is stopped at a predetermined point by a stop block 88 which is slidable along the bottom plate i8 in the path v 'of movement of the slidable bend angle limiting spring 88 is interposed between the member 81 and the opposed end of .the sleeve bearing 89 carried bythe housing.

If desired, the end of the bearing 89 opposed to the abutment member 81 can be utilized as a definite stop for limiting movement of the stop 88 with the slide member l8 following contact of these two elements to thereby terminate the-bending'operation after the intended bend angle has been attained. -It will be obviousthat in this use, ,the movement necessary to bring the abutment member 81 into contact with the stop end of the bearing, against the action of the spring 88, will serve to displace the sleeve 82 and hand wheel 85 longitudinally, and this movement of the hand wheel 85 can be observed by the operator as a visual-indication of the attainmen of the desired angle of bend. a

By adjustment of the handwheel 85 the posi-, tion at which the stop 88 will'intercept movement of the slide member l8 and bring about a termination of the bending operationcan be altered at the will of the operator. 1

In order to visually indicate the intended angle of bend, the worm threaded portion 84 of the sleeve 82 meshes with a worm wheel'88 mounted on a stud shaft 8| supported as at 82 in the housing and carrying an indicator dial 88 which pro- Jects through a window 84 formed in the housing into position for having the intended angle of bend indicating indicla displayed on the dial acare engaged by the rotating surface 8i of the moved about the rotordiskjthe vise supporting As the radius block is cessible to the operator through said window. By

observing the dial 88' the operator can readily observe the angle of bend predetermined by positioning of the stop 88.

. side bosses I02 hereinbefore referred to.

As above described, the bearing and abutment equipments 89, 81 can be utilized as a positive stop for terminating the bending operation, but this termination of-operation is preferably accomplished in a manner now to be described.

A stop ball 95 shaped to conform generally to the adjacent housing portion is pivoted as at 96 to the housing, and springs 91 mounted in suitable supporting lugs 98 projecting from the housing serve to constantly urge the bail upwardly. The bail is provided with a centrally disposed group of stop notches 99 disposed radially with relation to a central bearing boss I projecting upwardly from the base plate I0. A similar group of stop notches I0! is provided at each side of the bail in radial relation to each of the side bosses I02 projecting upwardly from the bottom and lock against movement actuator handle equipment soon to be described.

The upwardly pressed bail 95 includes a holding recess I03 which is engaged by a latching detent I04 projected through an aperture I05 in actuated by the abutment element 81 each time i the slide plate I8 engages the selectively posiplate, and these notches are adapted to engage tioned stop member 80 and effectsa longtiudinal displacement of the sleeve 82.

A center shaft H0 is vertically mounted in a bearing III formed in the housing and in the bottom plate center boss I00 hereinbefore referred to, and this shaft carries a pinion II2 which meshes with the master gear I5. The shaft III] also carries a small pinion H3 at its upper end within a recess II4 formed in the housing extension 9; The recess is covered by a closure plate II5 having a sight window II6 through which calibrations on a dial III rotatably mounted in the recess can be observed by the operator. The dial is carried by a gear II8 which meshes with and receives rotation from the small pinion H3. The dial is calibrated as at- I in opposite directions from a zero mark, and by observing thecalibrations during the bending operation the operator can observe the progress of attainment of the desired angle of bend.

A larger spur gear I2I is secured upon the shaft 0 intermediate its upper and lower ends, and a shaft I22 is vertically mounted in bearings formed in the housing and in each of the Like the shaft IIO, each of the shafts I22 includes a driver pinion I23 which meshes with the spur gear I2I. It will be obvious that by imparting rotation to any one of the shafts H0 or I22, ro-' tation will be imparted to the master gear I5 and the rotor-disk 2 I. When this rotation is im-. parted to the shaft IIO, by engagement of a ratchet lever equipment later to be described with the gear I2I on said shaft, it is transmitted directly to the master gear I5 through the pinion gear II2 enmeshed therewith. When the rotation is imparted to one of the shafts I22, by engagement of a ratchet lever equipment with the pinion gear I23 thereon, it is transmitted indirectly from said gear I23 through the gear I2I with which said pinion gear meshes. and the pinion gear II2 aflixed to the shaft which carries the gear I2I to said master gear. See Fi ures 2, 3 and 8. An individual and dentical ratchet lever equipment is employed for imparting rotation to each'of said shafts.

Each ratchet lever equipment includes a sleeve I24 having apertured ears I25 for straddling or encircling the respective shaft I22 or I I0 so as to mountthe respective lever equipment for swinging movement about the axis of the respective shaft. A ratchet or driver plug I26 is slidably mounted within the sleeve and has a toothed end portion I21 engageable with the teeth .of either of the pinions I 23 or the larger gear I2I.

Each lever includes a relatively flat handle portion I28 which merges into a cylindrical extension I29 rotatably mounted in the respective sleeve I24. Each cylindrical extension has a cross pin I30 projected therethrough, and the ends of each pin I30 project into an annular groove provided in a counterbore I3I in the sleeve I24, being confined in said groove by abutment rings I32 secured in the end of the sleeve by brazing or in any other suitable manner.

Each plug I25 includes a reduced extension I33 slidably mounted in the cylindrical extension of the handle and having limited longitudinal movement therein through the slot and pin connection I34. I A compression spring I35 is interposed between each plug extension and the respective cross pin .I30 and constantly tends to force the respective plug against the associated pinion or gear. A pull rod I36 is attached to each plug and extends through a portion of the handle I28 and is attached to a cross pin I31 extending through a longitudinal slot I38 in said handle. The cross pin I31 carries buttons I39 which may be actuated by the operator to retract the respective plug from contact with the associated gear or pinion." Each handle may also be turned about its axis to present the ratchet teeth of the plug in neutral position across the teeth of the respective gear or pinion, or for reversing the direction of projection of said ratchet teeth to adapt a given ratchet lever for imparting movement in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to the associated gear or pinion.

oscillatory movement of the respective ratchet lever equipments is limited by the extent of the housing openings I40 through which these equipments project.

Each of the ratchet lever equipment sleeves I 24 carries a depending lug I4I adapted to engage in one of the stop notches in the upper edge of the stop bail 95, and when this notch and lug engagement is effected, further actuation of the ratchet levers is rendered impossible.

When smaller forms of radius blocks are used, it may be found desirable to mount a spacer link I42 beneath said blocks in the manner illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

By manipulation of either of the ratchet lever equipments disposed at a side of the machine, increments of movement can be imparted to the respective pinion I23, and through that pinion to the spur gear I2I, pinion H2 and master gear thereby serving to impart relatively quick movement to the bending parts. This ratchet lever equipment is used for rapidly bending small diameter rods or tubes. When it is desired to apply more power in the bending of larger tubes or rods, the ratchet lever equipments disposed at one side or the other of .thecentral lever equipment are utilized either selectively or collectively and since the ratio of the gear couple through which increments of movements are imparted by this equipment is 30-to-1, the bending operation is performed at a slower rate and with correspondingly increased mechanical advantage.

. A skillful operator will find the selectively or collectively actuable side mounted ratchet lever equipments very convenient and advantageous. Both of these lever equipment handles can be grasped simultaneously, and while one is being moved in the movement imparting direction the other can be moved in the non-effective or ratcheting direction, and vice versa, thereby facilitating the bending operation. Under certain conditions of use, one of the side mounted lever equipments and the centrally mounted lever equipment can be used cooperatively during a bending operation, despite the fact that each said lever equipment will be effective through a distinct gear ratio.

In performing a bending operation, an operator first positions the selected radius block in accordance with the size of tube or rod to be means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, and means turned, said clamping means and said block opposing means being shiftably mounted so that they-can be moved from one side of the rotor to the opposite side thereof and thereby made to oppose either side of the radius block for efiecting a bending of pipes to the right or to the left according to the positioning of said clamping and opposing means and the direction of the movement imparted to the rotor.

' 2. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor, a radius block movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to. which tubes are to be bent,

bent and. the direction in which the bend is to be made. The slide block mounting and vise supportingbars 21 and 41 are suitably positioned and the blocks 45 and 52 are suitably brought into contact with the tube in the manner hereinbefore described. This being accomplished, the operator actuates the hand wheel 85 to suitably position the limiting stop 80 and at the same time position the dial 93 to indicate the intended angle of bend to be determined by said stop. The proper ratchet lever equipment is next actuated to impart increments of movements to the rotor disk 2| and the radius block mounted thereon. As the rotor disk 2| is moved, movement is imparted to the dial H1, and by observing the calibrations on this dial through the window I IS the operator always is aware of theprogress of attainment of the desired angle of bend.

When the stop 80 is engaged by the slide plate i8 it yields slightly to movement of. the slide plate and causes the abutment member 81 to engage the trip finger I09 and effect a. releasing'of the bail latching member I04. This releasing of the bail 95 permits the bail to be moved upwardly by the springs 91, and certain of the notches IOI and 99 will interlock with the latching lugs Ml depending from the ratchet lever equipments to positively lock said equipments against additional movement. By this means the bending operation is automatically terminated when the desired angle of bend has been attained.

'It is, of course, to be understood that the details of structure and arrangement of parts may means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means stationarily opposed to the radius block and engaged by a tube clamped against said block for causing the tube to bend about the block as it is turned, a master gear having driving connection with the rotor, a pinion gear meshing with the master gear, a large gear connected in driving relation with the pinion gear, a small gear meshing with the large gear, and two ratchet levers one having a pawl directly engageable with the large gear and, one having a pawl directly engageable with the small gear, said levers being selectively operable for imparting increments of movement at selective speed rates to said rotor.

3. In a machine'of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor, a radius block movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to,

the curvature to which tubes are to be bent. means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means stationarily opposed to the radius block'and engaged by a tube clamped against said block for causing the tube to bend about the block as it is turned, means for predetermining and visually indicating the angle of bend intended, means for visually indicating the progress of attainment of the angle of bend, and means for discontinuing the bending operation when the predetermined angle of bend has been attained.

4. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor, a. radius block movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means stationarily opposed to the radius block and engaged by a tube clamped against said block for causing the tube to bend about the block as it is turned, said rotor movement imparting means including a manually operable-lever, means for predetermining the angle of bend intended, and means engageable with said lever upon completion of the intended bend angle for locking the lever against additional movement.

5. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, manually operable means for imparting movement to said rotor, a radiusblock movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved .to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means stationarily opposed to the radius lock and engaged by a tube clamped against. said block'for causing the tube to bend about the block as it is turned, a member movable in a definite path with the rotor during the performance of a. bending operation, a stop adjustably disposed in the path of travel of said member for intercepting movement of the memagainst further movement.

6. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor, a radius block movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means stationarily opposed to the radius block and emaged by a tube clamped against said block forcausing the tube to bend about the block as it is turned, a member movable in a definite path with the rotor during the performance of -a bending operation, a stop adjustably disposed in the path of travel of said member and displaceable a limited distance thereby, said rotor movement imparting means including a manually operable lever, a lever locking member swingably mounted and constantly tending to engage the lever to secure itagainst movement, and locking member latching means automatically releasable by movement of displacement of said stop whereby the bendiim operations are terminated upon attainment of the intended angle of bend. 1

7.-In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor, a radius block movable with the'rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means stationarily opposed to the radius block and engaged by a tube clamped against said block for causing the tube to bend about the block as it is turned, a member movable in a definite path with the rotor during the performance of a bending operation, a stop adjustably disposed in the path of travel of said member and displaceable a limited distance thereby, said rotor movement imparting means including two selective oscillatable manually operable ratchet levers adjustable about the axis of their length to be eiiective for movement imparting purposes in opposite directions, a third similarly oscillatable and adjustable ratchet lever and movement transmitting connections with the rotor for imparting movement in selective directions to said rotor at a speed of movement different from that imparted by the first-mentioned levers, a lever locking bail swingably mounted and constantly tending to engage the three levers collectivly to secure them rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor in clockwise or counter-clockwise dime-- tioning block having provision for definitely positioning and providing a longitudinal slide-way support for said opposing block, means for slidably supporting the positioning block on said bar,

and means for imparting movement of adjustment to the positioning block toward or from the radius block, said bar being swingable about the axis of the rotor for presenting the opposing block at one side or the other of the rotor.

9. In a machine of the character described, a

rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor in clockwise or counter-clockwise directions, a radius block movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent and grooved to partially embrace and confine said tubes against tendencies to wrinkle and flatten, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, an opposing block grooved to partially embrace said tubes in tube confining cooperation with said radius block,

means for slidably mounting the opposing block so that it can slide along a rectilinear path in contact with a tube being bent, said last-named means comprising a mounting bar, a positioning block having provision for definitely positioning and providing a longitudinal slide-way support for said opposing block, means for slidably supporting the positioning block on said bar, means for imparting movement of adjustment to the positioning block toward or from the radius block, said bar being swingable about the axis of the rotor for presenting the opposing block at one side or the other of the rotor, a tube wall supporting mandrel having a moving fit within the tube being bent and stationarily held with its end terminating between the opposed surfaces of the radius block and the opposing block, and means for longitudinally and laterally adjusting the position of said mandrel to adapt the same for cooperation with radius blocks of dififerent sizes and at either side of said radius blocks.

10. 3 bending machine of the character defined in claim 9 in which the mandrel adjusting means comprises a transverse standard having a longitudinal mounting slot therein, a mandrel supporting rod adjustable longitudinally and transversely in said slot, an adjustment determining scale overlying said slot and graduated in opposite directions from a central mark aligned with tions, a radius block movable with the rotor and the axis of the rotor, and means for securely clamping the rod in adjusted positions on said standard.

11. In a machine 01. the character described, a rotor, means for imparting movement to said rotor, a radiu's block movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the, curvature to which tubes are to be bent,

means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means stationarily opposed to the radius'block and by a tube clamped against said block for causing the tube to bend about the block as it is turned,

a slide member, means including a heart cam movablewith the rotor and effective to transmit to the slide member uniform increments of movement whereby the slide member .is moved a uniform amount for each degree of bend of the tube being bent, and means disposed in the path of travel of the slide member for intercepting movement thereof after attainment of a predetermin'ed angle of bend in a tube being bent.

12. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counter-clockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent,

means for clamping a tube to be bent to the mounted so that they can be moved from one side of the rotor to the opposite side thereof. preparatory to a bending operation and thereby made to oppose the radius block'at either side of the rotor for efiecting a bending of pipes to the right or to the left-according to the positioning of said clamping and opposing means and the direction of the movement imparted to the rotor, said radius block opposing means including an opposing block shiftable with said radius block opposing means and mounted for sliding movement in a rectilinear path for constant non-abrasive contact with the tube being bent andat the bending point regardless of the directionin which said' bend is being made.

13. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counter-clockwisemovement to said rotor, a radius block movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are tobe bent, meanson said rotor for selectively mounting difierent sizes of radius blocks each having a grooved peripheral grooved to properly oppose the selected size of radius block groove.

14. In a machineof the character described, a rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counter-clockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means adapted to stationarily oppose the radius block and be engaged by a tube clamped against said block during rotation of the rotor and radius of the rotor for effecting a bending of pipes to the right or to the left according to the positioning of said clamping and opposing means and the direction of the movement imparted to the rotor, said radius block including an extended portion having a clamping surface merg-- ing as a tangent with the curved peripheral surface of said block, and means for reversibly positioning the radius block on said rotor so as to enable presentation of the tangentially extended portion thereof at one side or the other of the rotor center in opposition to the shiftably mounted clamping means.

15. In a machine of the character described, a

rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counter-clockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent,

surface for bending a distinct size of tube, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means adapted to stationarily oppose the radius block and be engaged by a tube clamped against said block during rotation of the rotor and radius' block ior causing the tube to bend about the turning radius block, said clamping means and said radius block opposing means being shiftably mounted so that they can be moved from one side of the rotor to the opposite side thereof preparatory to a bending operation and thereby made to oppose the radius block at either side of the rotor for effecting a bending of pipes to the right or to the left according to the positioning of .said clamping and opposing means and the direction of the movement imparted to the rotor, said radius block opposing means including an opposing block shiftable with said radius block Opposing means. and mounted for slidingmovement in a, rectilinear path for comsentable radius block opposing surfaces each means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means adapted to stationarily oppose the radius block andbe engaged by a tube clamped against said block during rotation of the rotor and radius .block for causing the tube to bend about the turning radius block, said clamping means and saidradius block opposing means being shiftably mounted so that they can be moved from oneside of the rotor to the opposite side thereof preparatory to a bending operation and thereby made to oppose the radius block at either side of the rotor for effecting a bending of pipes to the right or to the left according to the positioning of said clamping and opposing means and the direction of the movement imparted to the rotor, said radius block including an extended portion having a clamping surface merging as a tangent with the curved peripheral surface of said block, said rotor having a center pin and an oil center driving pin extending therefrom'in spaced parallel relation, and said radius block also including mounting sockets in its respective faces for freely receiving said pins so that the radius block can be reversibly mounted with the tangentially extended portion thereof disposed in opposition to' the shaftably'mounted clamping means at either side of said pins.

16. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counterclockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face cu ved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, means adapted to stationarily oppose the radius block and be engaged by a tube clamped against said block during rotation of the rotor and radius block for causing the tube to bendabout the turning radius block, said clamping means and said radius block opposing means being shiftably mounted so that they can be moved from one side of the rotor to the opposite side thereof preparatory to a bending operation and thereby made to oppose the radius block at either side of the rotor for eifecting a bending of pipes to the right or to the left according to the positioning of said clamping and opposing means and the direction of the movement imparted to the rotor, said radius block including an extended portion having a clamping surfacemerging as a tangent with the curved peripheral surface of said block, said rotor having a center pin and an oif center driving pin extending therefrom. in

spaced parallel relation, said radius block also means being mounted on a bar swingable about the axis of the driving pin, and said shiftable radius block opposing means being mounted on a bar swingable about the axis of the center pin.-

17. In a machine of the character described,

a rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counter-clockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith, and means adapted to stationarily oppose the radius block and be engaged by a tube clamped against said block during rotation of therotor and radius block for causing the'tube to bend about the turning radius block, said rotor movement imparting means including a toothed driving wheel connected in driving relation with the rotor and an oscillatable ratchet lever having a pawl engageable with the wheel, said lever being adjustable about the axis of its length to render it eifeetive for imparting clockw se or counterclockwise movement to said wheel.

18. In a machine of the character described, a rotor. means for imparting clockwise or counterclockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature towhich tubes are to be bent,

means for clamping a tube to be bent to the block for causing the tube to bend about the turning radius block, said rotor movement imparting means including a toothed driving wheel connected in driving relation with the rotor and lever and pawl equipment and a second toothed driving wheel engaged thereby and coupled in driving relation with the rotor or driving the same at a speed of movement different from that imparted by engagement of the first mentioned lever with the first mentioned wheel. 7

19. In a machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counterclockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which tubes are to be bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith. means adapted to stationarily oppose the radius block and be engaged by a tube clamped against said block during rotation of the rotor and radius block for causing the tube to bend about the turning radius block, said clamping means and said radius block opposing means being shiftably mounted so that they can bemoved from one side of the.rotor to the opposite side thereof preparatory to a bending operation and thereby made to oppose the radius block at either side of the rotor-for effecting a bending of pipes to the right or to the left according to the positioning of said clamping and opposing means and the direction of the movement imparted to the otor, said radius block including an extended portion having a clamping surface merging as a tangent with the curved peripheral surface of said block, said rotor having a center pin and an off center driving pin extending therefrom in spaced parallel relation, and said radius block also including mounting sockets in its respective faces for freely receiving said pins sothat the radius block can be reversibly mounted with the tangentially extended portion thereof disposed in opposition to the shiftably mounted clamp ng means at either side of said pins, said shiftable c amping means being mounted on a bar swingable about the axis of the driving pin, said shiftable radius block opposing means being mounted on a bar swingable about the axis of the center pin, and two abutments one at each side of said center pin against one or the other of which abutments the radius block opposing means supporting bar is automatically held against movement with the tube being bent during a tube bending operation.

20. In a, machine of the character described, a rotor, means for imparting clockwise or counterclockwise movement to said rotor, a radius block supported on and movable with the rotor and having a peripheral face curved to conform to the curvature to which the tubes are bent, means for clamping a tube to be bent to the radius block for movement therewith and means movable with the tube and opposed to the radius block for engaging the tube atthe immediate point of-bend for maintaining the tube in contact with the radius block, said clamping means an oscillatable ratchet lever having a pawl engageable with the wheel, said lever being adjustable about the axis of its length to render it effective for imparting clockwise or counter-.

clockwise movement to said wheel, and a second similarly oscillatable and adjustable ratchet and said movable opposing means being shiftably mounted so that they may be moved from one side of the rotor to the opposite side thereof for effecting a bending of tubes to the right or left according to the position of the clamping and opposing means and the direction of movement imparted to the rotor.

- ARTHUR L. PARKER.

HENRY E. HULL 

